LYNDEN, Wash. — First responders were dispatched about 12:40pm to the Guide Meridian (SR539), south of Beard Road and in the southbound lanes, due to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian injury collision.
Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation said, as of 1pm, the initial response to the incident was blocking the right lane.
The Washington State Patrol issued a press memo this evening detailing the incident.
A 2002 Ford F150 pickup was southbound on the Guide towing a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country van using a tow strap. The strap disconnected and both vehicles stopped. The driver of the towed vehicle got out to replace the strap. The Ford resumed going southbound and the unoccupied Chrysler struck the man that was outside the vehicle.
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Click for more informationThe driver of the Ford, identified as Norman J Shiflet, age 56 of Maple Falls, was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with suspicion of vehicular homicide. Drugs and/or alcohol are considered a factor in the incident.
The victim, identified as a 59-year-old Lynden man, was declared dead at the scene.
Approximate location of the crash
I drove by this going northbound while things were still going on. Just from what I saw it looked like there was a body under a tarp. I don’t know if I saw it right but my heart dropped when I saw it.
Seems as though you saw exactly what you saw. Sadly, indeed.
Terrible accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the man that accidentally hit him.
My condolences go out to the family, and my prayers go out to my brother in law that accidentally hit him.
I know the people yeah it is a sad but that’s a family
Let’s learn from this tragedy, always set the ebrake before you go in front of a car for anything. Condolences to the families involved i hope the weight of sadness is not to heavy